Real Madrid are through to the next round of Champions League after a 2-0 (4-0 on aggregate) victory over Chelsea Wednesday at Stamford Bridge. Frank Lampard's Blues pressed valiantly in the match, but their scoring woes continued and they were helpless in the face of a Rodrygo double in the second half. It wasn't all smiles for Los Bancos though as they'll be without Eder Militao in the next round due to yellow card accumulation. Militao's foul on Kai Havertz in the first half was an unnecessary one and now Carlo Ancelotti will need to configure his defense to stop whoever Real Madrid will face in the next round, but making it to the last four remaining after winning Champions League last season is something to celebrate.
Given the issues that they've had, Chelsea did the right thing tactically, putting as many midfielders as they could on the pitch and pressing with conviction. As N'Golo Kante pushed forward, he, unfortunately, looked like a Chelsea winger and was unable to finish a few good chances that could've turned the tie around. If one of those goes in, there's a chance that Chelsea are going through to the next round instead of Real Madrid, but that's how thin margins can be.
Again, Real Madrid showed what attacking looked like as they managed the game until things opened up and Rodrygo struck. All credit to the Brazilian attacker, but defensive awareness on Chelsea's end needs to be better. The defense is put under far too much pressure with the attack not scoring, but across these two legs, not much more can be asked of Lampard tactically unless he can go on the pitch and put the ball into the back of the net himself.
Twenty3
Rodrygoals!
At Real Madrid, it can be easy to label this Karim Benzema's team because it's true. But while Benzema is the leader and Vinicius Jr is his second in command, the squad that steps up around them when needed is as good as any other club in the world. From Marco Ascencio to Fede Valverde to, as it was on Wednesday, Rodrygo, players all have their times to shine. A player who would be the leader of the attack on most teams, he still has 13 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for Real Madrid but teams forget the danger that the Brazilian can pose when he occupies a line with Vini Jr. and Benzema..
He quickly reminded Chelsea though.
And then he did it again and sent the fans home.
Having someone like this as their third best attacking option is why teams have to put Real Madrid away early if they want a chance of advancing. It's something that Chelsea had the chance to do but they didn't get the job done.
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How to defend in the next round
Militao's yellow card was a costly one with, him out for a clash that will likely be against Manchester City. That puts Real Madrid in a tough spot in trying to defend Erling Haaland with David Alaba (who also left this game injured) and Antonio Rudinger. Both are great defenders but they like to maraud forward which would give City the space to cut them apart. Ancelotti has been masterful with his game planning, so you'd assume that he works something out but facing Pep Guardiola is a chess match for the ages.
Real Madrid's midfield provides room for error but one thing that Chelsea did show is that they're vulnerable to the press. Pressing isn't something that City always do, but it is a tactic that they can employ when needed and Los Blancos will need to be ready.
What's next for Chelsea?
Despite Lampard's valiant effort, the harsh reality is that Chelsea have lost every game that he has managed in his return to Stamford Bridge. If what Graham Potter was doing wasn't good enough for Todd Boehly, how can this be? Chelsea have one eye on next season, but the limbo that they're in is a costly place. Figuring out what's next is critical both from a player standpoint and a managerial one as well. If Chelsea can't get a manager in place soon, some of these issues could end up making next season a lost one as well, because that manager will want time to figure out who to keep from the current roster. Taking over during the summer can shorten that timeline.
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Advancing like it's their job
Real Madrid love a knockout tournament as they withstood Chelsea's press to strike late and break their resolve. The Blues setup well in the match but they were unable to finish despite having chances. Once the match opened up, it was all over as there's no coming back when Real Madrid are able to get ahead and that's when Rodrygo struck twice. Again excellent game management to get just what they needed from Los Blancos.
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Rodrygooooooollllllll
Real Madrid has their second and the Chelsea fans are heading for the exits. The EMPHATIC finish
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Changes galore
Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk are coming to push Chelsea forward but Real Madrid has put on additional midfielders to cope with the attacking changes.
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Real Madrid want more goals
Now that Chelsea are really pushing forward, Los Blancos are becoming hard to stop from shooting in the match. There are more goals to come in the closing moments.
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Cya later!
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Iced it!
Ask and you shall receive! Rodrygo gets in behind the entire Chelsea defense taking advantage of Cucurella's pressing and with attackers flooding the box, it was all over for Chelsea once he touched the ball. This 3-0 advantage won't be overturned.
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Chelsea could use a goal sooner than later
Havertz has put a shot on target but with only 30 mintues remaining time Chelsea are still searching for two goals in the match. Real Madrid sill seems like the side more likely to score and ice the match.
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Real Madrid are getting into space
As the half goes on, Chelsea are beginning to allow gaps for Real Madrid to get into but there has yet to be a goal. But that is only in favor of Real Madrid at this stage of things.
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The first yellow of the game
Eder Militao picked it up for a foul on Havertz and now he'll have to not only be careful during the remainder of the match but he'll also be out for the next game that Real plays in Champions League if Los Blancos do advance.
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Can Chelsea keep it up?
The press has been relentless but the Blues are getting into space but they haven't found the finishing touch. Real Madrid seem to be letting Chelsea tire themselves out before hitting them with a knockout punch goal but if Chelsea can get a goal in the first half, things could get interesting.
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That was the chance!
It was rare foray forward for Chelsea as the ball fell to N'Golo Kante but he couldn't turn it on target. It seems like he is the most attacking midfielder in Chelsea's lineup.
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Real Madrid are saying come and get the ball
Knowing that they can play the match on their terms, Los Blancos are kicking the ball around the pitch and Chelsea can't get a foot in. Eventually, Chelsea will have to open things up but that's when they'll have fallen into Real Madrid's trap that is being set.
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And we're off
Chelsea's fans are in full force but an early Real Madrid goal could quiet the stands quickly.
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10 minutes until kickoff
It's almost time to get underway in what should be quite a match.
Match prediction: Chelsea 0, Real Madrid 1 – I was rather bullish that Chelsea's midfield could match Madrid's in the first leg; had Mateo Kovacic not had a hellish game I might have been right. I'm still not sure it matters much because the difference between these two sides is in the penalty areas. Expect Madrid to deal with this game as they did the second leg against Liverpool, quelling the pace and waiting for their moment to strike. When it comes they will surely exploit it. –James Benge
Reserves: Lunin, Luis Lopez, Vallejo, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Odriozola, Lucas V., Tchouameni, Ceballos, Rudiger, Mariano
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How does this midfield work?
While Chelsea has gone with their standard back three putting the attacking onus on Reece James, figuring out the rest of Frank Lampard's lineup will attack is a bit of a conundrum. After the creativity from the wingbacks, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher will be the cruxes of the midfield but doing that against a Real Madrid team that can control the match is easier said than done.
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Yet again, Chelsea will try a different attack
Sterling and Felix both missed key chances in the first leg and won't feature in attack this time around.
It promises to be all too easy for Madrid to hold Chelsea at arms' length. An intense team with an organized press might just be able to change the timbre of this game. Frank Lampard's side play like the team of virtual strangers that they are. Against Brighton, their attempts to man mark the opposition only served to reaffirm the lessons of the first leg, that this is a midtable Premier League side that does not even have the benefit of months of battle hardening.
Odds: Chelsea +188; Draw +240; Real Madrid +140 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
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Hello and welcome
Chelsea will have quite a task in this match to defeat Real Madrid but if they can keep their players on the pitch, winning is more likely than some may think. Despite not scoring in the first leg, the Blues did have chances but taking those chances has been easier said than done against a relentless Real Madrid side. Tune in to see if Chelsea can complete a comeback!
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